We were lucky to catch up with Cassie Brooks recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cassie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The biggest risk was writing the story at all and publicly sharing it. There is a lot of background that surrounds this story for me personally that has changed my life and made it quite magical.
I’ve always enjoyed writing and dabbled in poetry and fanfiction and am an avid reader too. At one point 2 years ago, I decided I wanted to invest in my writing, so I signed up for a writing program to help me focus and help me actually writing my fantasy novel.
My research lead me to many conversations and down many rabbit holes, that ultimately shifted my entire belief system. It was also one that I shared openly. There is a term associate with myself that is stigmatized in our culture, and that is partly why this became a risk.
It eventually lead me to change jobs since people were uncomfortable with the outward changes they noticed, mostly from tattoos that now mark my skin. The job change was actually a step up and allowed me to continue with my writing. This eventually led me to start the Magick in Me series that are children’s stories featuring conversations and challenges I have had with my son in adapting new things into his life.
The cost and risk of writing my children’s book and openly sharing my path have cost me friends and created a lot of awkward conversations, but it has opened a door to encourage children and adults to be who they want to be – reminding others to accept themselves and to choose who they are.
It honestly cost me at least one publisher by sharing who I am, and for others, it simply led me to self-publish my stories. I’ve honestly given away more than I have sold and left them with libraries, local cafe shops and donated them to several people in the LBGTQ and Pagan communities. It’s given me the opportunity to volunteer more within my community and read my story at local events.
So perhaps it has not been a profitable venture in a monetary standpoint, but from those I have had the privilege to meet along the way has made it worth the risk and the cost.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m an accounting analyst by day and a full-time mom to a wonderfully goofy and energetic 7-year-old boy, Elijah, who inspires me on my journey to ✨freeing my creativity✨—or something inspiring like that.
I’m also married to my husband, Monte, for nearly 14 years. He’s always told me being married to me is an adventure. I have yet to prove him wrong, which leads me to this wonderful place where I am at now of creating a series of children’s picture books inspired by everyday life with my son.
For years, I’ve been wanting to be an author and have dabbled in fanfiction, poetry, local writer’s groups, and vaguely plotted out a young adult fantasy trilogy that I hope to write. Through all that, I never thought I’d find myself here – creating magic and shifting my focus to children’s books.
This whole thing has been an interesting experience for me. There’s definitely been a lot of lessons that I have learned throughout this process, including aspects of my own personal journey that have turned my world upside-down. I’ll be honest, it hasn’t all been easy, but it’s been pretty magickal. 💫
It is my hope others enjoy reading about some of my adventures or mis-adventures along the way, as I try to bring the Magick in Me series to life. I answer questions openly about the process. I am no expert, but like to help point people in the right direction or share ideas with them that might spark the muse in both of us and encourage each other along the way.
That is what I hope my children’s book do as well – encourage people to be themselves.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
For me, there are many things driving my creative journey. One of the most prominent reasons is because I have always wanted to be a published author. Now, I am, and it’s in a way that I can encourage and inspire others to be bold and be themselves. No one gets to tell you who you are or choose to be. That power is inside you, and I hope you find the strength and courage to be brave and live your truth whatever they may be.
I’ve stepped into who I choose to be and shared my story, hoping others will do the same.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to share my stories with others and seeing it make a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB67WCJH?fbclid=IwAR1BgTA01iIR-h2-JF3tpIOdp3wDupwGHd1Pv8kPeAx_40V6cNOnyh9xNWM&ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=07f6bbd1-84a1-4d0a-8bc1-209f070f347d
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1no3r03cavg50&utm_content=2lz8amv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassandra.weaverbrooks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cassrbrooks1?t=6F4vb28eUCoRRE89K3XVMA&s=07
- Other: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/56778565-cassie-brooks